Court clears Trillanes oath-taking in Caloocan

A Makati judge cleared the way for senator-elect Antonio Trillanes IV to take his oath as senator before a village chief in Caloocan City on Friday morning. Radio station dzBB reported Thursday that Judge Oscar Pimentel, who is handling the rebellion case against Trillanes, allowed the former Navy officer-turned-politician to leave detention for the 10 a.m. event. It said Pimentel managed to issue the order speedily as government prosecutors posed no objection to it. Trillanes is to take his oath at 10 a.m. on Friday before Barangay (village) 169 chairman Ruben Gatchalian at the covered court of BF Homes, Phase 1, Deparo, Caloocan, where he cast his vote in the May 14 elections. Assistant Chief State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon and State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera did not object to the request, though Fadullon insisted that custodians secure Trillanes. The Trillanes camp had also filed an omnibus motion seeking leave of detention to attend all Senate functions including the regular and the plenary sessions, committee hearings, committee meetings, consultations, investigations and hearings in aid of legislation and caucuses. He also sought to get his own work area equipped with the appropriate communications equipment, inside his cell. Trillanes likewise also asked to court to extend his media access. He said he wants to be allowed to receive reporters and other members of the media in his detention cell on Tuesdays and Fridays. - GMANews.TV